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Worcestershire CCC continue their countdown to the new season with two one-day matches against Somerset at Taunton Vale on Thursday and Friday.

After the 11-day training camp in Abu Dhabi, the County now switch to playing seven days cricket in English conditions ahead of the Specsavers County Championship opener with Glamorgan at the Swalec Stadium on April 14.

The emphasis will be on red ball skills in the two day match against Gloucestershire at RGS Worcester (April 3 and 4) and the three-day encounter with Leeds-Bradford at Weetwood (April 7 to 9).

But the two 50 over matches at Taunton Vale will enable Worcestershire to hone their skills for the Royal London One-Day Cup.

This season it gets underway at the end of April and is played in a three week block of group matches compared to its previous slot in mid summer.

Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes has announced a 12 man squad for the Thursday fixture and will utilise the full playing staff over the two matches.

With Ben Cox and Joe Clarke on MCC duty in Abu Dhabi, there is an opportunity for Alex Milton to keep wicket.

It is a role he often undertook for the Second Eleven last season when he also made several important contributions with the bat.

First year professional and opener Ollie Westbury, spinner Ben Twohig, England Under-19 batsman Josh Dell and young paceman Pat Brown are also included for the opening game.

Rhodes said: "We've got the two one-dayers at Taunton Vale where we can concentrate on some one-day skills for the 50 over competition.

"It is a competition which is coming up early and one we think we can go well in.

"But the three days against Leeds-Bradfordand two versus Gloucestershire will be very much red ball emphasis.

"As long as the weather is kind to us, that should put us in a reasonable position for the first game at Glamorgan."